Want to be the pub/terrace know-all this weekend? Want to know who has committed the most fouls? Or who has covered the most ground and put in a true captain’s performance? Then read on and let the welcome return of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index arm you with enough stats to impress everyone but girly girls.

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.

Chelsea vs Hull – Saturday 15:00

Chelsea were finally conquered last weekend at St. James’ Park, as Jose Mourinho’s side fell to their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to Newcastle. Fifteen games in to the season, however, three of Chelsea’s players are ranked in the top five performers in the Premier League. Diego Costa (2nd), Eden Hazard (3rd) and Cesc Fabregas (5th) are joined by Sergio Aguero (1st) and Alex Sanchez (4th) to complete the quintet.

Costa is ranked so highly largely because of his goals. He has scored eleven goals in twelve games, making him the second top scorer in the Premier League. Costa has a remarkable 79.3% of shots on target, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Costa has not scored in the last couple of games, but remains Chelsea’s biggest goal threat as he returns to full fitness. Costa is 5/9 to score any time with 888sport.

Last weekend’s match at Newcastle saw Eden Hazard extend his lead as the Premier League’s most successful dribbler. Hazard completed four successful dribbles last weekend, bringing his total for the season to 69, which is 22 more than second place Raheem Sterling, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Nemanja Matic was absent against Newcastle but should make his return to the starting eleven this weekend. Matic has now won 48 tackles this season, the fourth most of any player in the Premier League. Matic has also covered an average of 11.64km per game, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Hull City are now eight games without a win, and face yet another tough task as they seek a win at Stamford Bridge.

Ahmed Elmohammady added three successful crosses to his tally last week, and he has now made 20 successful crosses for the season, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. This is the fourth highest total in the division, and should the quality of his deliveries continue, it is not long before these result in goals and Hull get back to winning ways. Elmohammady is 23/1 to score any time with 888sport.

Jake Livermore has now covered 172.8km over the course of the season, which averages out at around 11.5km per game, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Livermore has now covered the second most ground in the league behind Cesc Fabregas, who misses the game through suspension.

Defender Michael Dawson has made the most blocks of any Premier League player this season, making 22 blocks in just ten appearances. His average of 2.2 clearances per game is by far the best in the league, with Richard Dunne in second at 1.7 per game, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

 

Burnley v Southampton – Saturday 15:00

Burnley come into this game in good form having only lost one game in their last five, which was their last outing, a 2-0 defeat at Loftus Road to Queen’s Park Rangers. The Clarets will be hoping that they pick up their third victory in six games to see them climb out of the relegation zone.

At the back, Burnley will be looking to sure things up as it is vital that they maintain a solid defence to survive in the Premier League. One man who they will be relying on is Kieran Trippier, and in particular, his work rate. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Trippier has covered a squad best 152.19km and should become the first Burnley player to pass the 100mile mark this weekend. Combining that work rate with his 33 tackles won and 27 interceptions means that Burnley can rely on their star defender.

In midfield, George Boyd epitomises the same hard-working philosophy, and is the only Premier League Player to cover over 13.2km in a game, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has done this on two separate occasions, covering 13.34km against Stoke and covering 13.24 km against Aston Villa. Burnley will need him to put in an equal shift this weekend to make sure of the points and will hope that he can find his third goals of the campaign. He is 23/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

The man who Burnley will rely on to make things tick is their hard-working centre midfield man, Scott Arfield. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has also covered 151.01km so far this season, whilst winning 20 tackles and making seven interceptions. He has also grabbed an assist and will be hoping to add to that tally by upping his 220 passes completed in the opposition half.

Southampton find themselves in fifth place in the league in spite of a series of fixtures against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United has seen them lose three in a row. In spite of this, the Saints will still come into the game with confidence as they still possess the best defensive record in the league.

Southampton will want to go back to what they did best early on in the season, and that means defending. They have managed to keep seven clean sheets in 15 games and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that keeper Fraser Forster has played a vital role in that. The England international keeper has made 2.25 saves for every goal conceded, and will want to keep on making saves to get his first clean sheet in five.

Going forward, Southampton’s creative spark has come from Dusan Tadic, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights the Serbian midfielder’s prowess. Tadic has managed to score once this season, but it is his seven assists that most impress. He has put a squad best 116 crosses into the box and has completed 298 passes in the opposition half. If he keeps getting into threatening areas on the weekend, he will continue to wreak havoc with opposition defences.

Up top, Graziano Pelle has continued his phenomenal start to life in England, by netting his seventh goal of the season on Monday against Manchester United. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the Italian striker has average a goal every 191.4 minutes, scoring with one in every 2.7 shots that hit the target. He is 23/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Sunderland vs West Ham – Saturday 15:00

Sunderland ground out an important point last weekend as they managed to hold Liverpool to a 0-0 draw away at Anfield. A tough task awaits them this Saturday though as high-flying West Ham travel to the Stadium of Light.

Striker Connor Wickham recently committed his long term future to the club, something that will no doubt have pleased manager Gus Poyet given his contribution this season. He’s had more attempts on target than any other Sunderland player this season with 20 according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He is 21/10 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

Lee Cattermole has been leading from the front defensively as ever this season, with 109 total defensive contributions (blocks, tackles won, interceptions, clearances) to his name. However he’s also shown his importance when Sunderland have had possession, given that he has the second highest number of completed passes in the opponent’s half in the Sunderland squad (199; behind only Sebastian Larsson – 291).

His midfield colleague Larsson has not just been impressive when distributing the ball though, he’s also been putting in a shift without the ball. He ranks 14th in the Barclays Premier League for total distance covered this season with 154,666m to his name according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

An inspired Andy Carroll was the catalyst for West Ham last weekend as they marched to their third win in a row thanks to two goals from the big frontman in a 3-1 win over Swansea.

Striker Diafra Sakho will likely have been glad to see fellow hitman Andy Carroll return to form last weekend, given that he has been leading the line largely on his own so far this season. He’s racked up seven goals from 11 shots on target so far this term according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, a highly impressive return. He is 9/5 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

Alex Song has been hailed for his influence in the West Ham engine room since arriving on loan from Barcelona, the former Arsenal man quickly settling in to life working under Sam Allardyce. He’s completed an excellent 197 passes in the opponent’s half this season, at an average rate of one every 3.7 minutes he’s been on the pitch.

Centre half Winston Reid has continued his effective start to the season, maintaining an excellent run of early form. He’s won 83.3% of his 18 attempted challenges so far this term.

 

West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa – Saturday 15:00

West Brom could only manage a point against Hull last time out after Allan McGregor saved an early Graham Dorrans penalty.

Sebastian Pocognoli will likely be the man tasked with containing what can at times be a very difficult to handle Aston Villa front line. His stats suggest he is up to the task though given that he has won 80.6% of his 31 attempted challenges this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Despite his penalty miss last weekend, Graham Dorrans has nonetheless been a key lynchpin in the West Brom midfield this season. He’s completed more passes in the opponent’s half than any other Baggies player this term with 310 to his name, as well as racking up three assists. He is an industry best 24/4 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.

Defender Craig Dawson has been in typically physical form at the back this season, compiling some impressive statistics whilst marshaling the Baggies back four. No West Brom player has compiled more blocks than Dawson (14), who also ranks highest in the squad for clearances with 101 according tot the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

A winner from Alan Hutton helped Aston Villa to all three points as they secured a 2-1 win over Leicester last weekend to move them within two points of the top half of the table.

Alan Hutton may have grabbed the winner last weekend but it is at the back where he has been most impressive this season. He’s won a remarkable 90.6% of his 32 attempted challenges so far this term, also compiling 50 clearances and conceding just eight fouls.

Forward Andreas Weimann continues to quietly impress this term, consistently getting himself in strong positions in front of goal. He’s had more attempts on goal than any other Villa player (15), working the ‘keeper with 60% of them according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He is 37/10 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.

Expect defender Aly Cissoko to be looking for his target men from the flanks this weekend. The French defender has attempted more crosses than any other Villa player this season, with 62 to his name according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Crystal Palace v Stoke – Saturday 15:00

Crystal Palace come into this fixture in search of their first win in four games, since their impressive home victory over Liverpool. The Eagles currently lie in 15th place in the league, one point above the relegation zone, but will be looking to put some safe distance between themselves and the drop zone with victory this weekend.

Palace are also going in search of their second clean sheet in a row after their last outing resulted in a 0-0 stalemate with fellow Londoners Tottenham Hotspur. Key to Palace achieving this is their shot stopper Julian Speroni, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Argentinian keeper has made 36 saves already this season, averaging 1.57 saves per goal conceded, and will look to increase that ratio by keeping Stoke at bay this weekend.

Palace will look to their inspirational skipper Mike Jedinak to win the battle of the midfield, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows how he goes about his business. The Australian national team captain has illustrated his quality on the ball by scoring five goals and creating one more already this season. His statistics in defence are even more impressive having won 79.5% of his 73 tackles and made 56 interceptions.

The man that could hold the key for the Eagles up top is Dwight Gayle, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us just how good his form is at the moment. Gayle has managed two goals already this season, at an average of a goal every 180.5 minutes, converting 50% of his shots taken. He is 47/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

This weekend’s visitors to Selhurst Park, Stoke, will arrive with confidence after their fantastic 3-2 win over Arsenal last weekend. The result means that Stoke now sit five points clear of the relegation zone, and are now chasing a pack of seven teams within five points of them. A win this weekend could move them up four places to ninth and kick-start their hunt for European qualification for next year.

Stoke have a top class keeper in fantastic form in the shape of Asmir Begovic. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international shot stopper has made 23 saves already this season, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The fact that Begovic has average one save every 58.7 minutes so far this season also lends itself to demonstrating how tough a unit Stoke will be to break down on the weekend.

Stoke will also be happy that this year’s summer signing from Barcelona, Bojan, has found his feet at his new club as the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates. Last weekend’s performance against Arsenal highlighted his talent, with a goal from just two attempts on goal, as well as his creative ability seeing as he delivered six crosses into the box as well. He is 18/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

The threat that Stoke pose going forward is not provided solely by Bojan, as fellow forward Jon Walters will certainly prove a handful come Saturday. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the Ireland international has managed three goals so far this term at an average of 171.5 minutes. Walters has managed to score 30% of his shots on goal this campaign, and hit the target with 60% of his efforts, and it is his decisive finishing that could trouble Palace.

Leicester v Man City – Saturday 15:00

This weekend sees newly promoted Leicester facing the tough challenge of hosting Premier League champions Manchester City. Leicester have failed to win in their last ten games and will be desperate to turn that statistic around with a repeat performance that saw them beat City’s rivals Manchester United.

In order to come away from the game with the desired result, Leicester will need to sure things up at the back and will look to Kasper Schmeichel to deliver his first clean sheet in four games. The EA SPORTS Player Performance index can reveal that the son of former Manchester City keeper has already racked up 48 saves so far this season, averaging 1.85 saves per goal conceded. He will need to be in top form to ensure that Leicester can keep Manchester City’s array of attacking talents at bay.

At the other end of the pitch, Leicester will be looking for Argentinian forward Leonardo Ulloa to keep his scoring form going, having netted his sixth goal of the season last weekend against Aston Villa. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Ulloa has only required 18 shots this season to get his six goals, converting two thirds of his shots that have hit the target. He is 29/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

One man who is certainly able to create the required chances for Leicester is RIyad Mahrez, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Algeria international has scored one goal and created a further two, having delivered a squad best 38 crosses into the box. He has also completed a squad best 23 dribbles, showing his threat can be from his delivery or from his direct running style.

Manchester City will come into this game in buoyant mood having won their last four games on the bounce. They will also be spurred on by the fact that a win could see them go level on points with current league leaders Chelsea.

City will, however, be without the in-form Sergio Aguero and will therefore look to Stevan Jovetic to deliver the goals for them. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the Montenegro international ahs average a goal every 129.75 minutes. He is 32/25 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

City will also be encourage by Yaya Toure’s start to the campaign, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals why. The Ivory Coast international midfielder has now scored four goals this season and also grabbed himself an assist. Toure’s direct running style could pose problems to Leicester, having completed 72% of his 25 dribbles, and he will look to impose himself on the game from the off on Saturday.

A large part of City’s great run is down to the performances of England international shot stopper Joe Hart. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Hart has now amassed 32 saves this season, making an average of 2.29 saves per goal conceded. He will be looking for his fourth clean sheet in seven games.

Arsenal vs Newcastle – Saturday 17:30

Despite a second half fightback, Arsenal were unable to find a vital third goal as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to Stoke at The Britannia last weekend.

Alexis Sanchez has undoubtedly been one of the stars of the season so far for Arsenal, the summer arrival settling quickly into life in the Premier League. Whilst he has been lighting up the Emirates going forward, he’s also been equally impressive when tracking back. He’s attempted the second highest number of tackles of any Gunners player this term (44), winning 61.4% of them. He is 19/20 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

Fellow frontman Danny Welbeck has been working equally hard across the frontline, repeatedly putting himself into scoring positions. He leads the Arsenal squad for total attempts on goal, racking up 31 so far this season and hitting the target with 51.6% of them according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Calum Chambers has been showing that he is certainly comfortable within the Arsenal setup following his move from Southampton in the summer. He leads the Arsenal squad for total defensive contributions (block, clearances, interceptions, tackles won) this season with 122.

Newcastle secured a famous win over an in-form Chelsea side as two goals from Papiss Cisse saw them grab all three points in a 2-1 victory at St James’ Park.

Midfielder Jack Colback will likely be the man charged with preventing the Gunners from enjoying too much possession this weekend and his stats suggest he is up to the task. He’s attempted the second highest numbers tackles in the Newcastle squad, his total of 41 surpassed only by Darryl Janmaat with 56, winning an impressive 68.3% of them.

Forward Ayoze Perez continues to impress this season, his accuracy in front of goal particularly catching the eye. He’s worked the ‘keeper with an excellent 63.6% of his 11 shots so far this term, a stat that suggests more goals are surely not far away. He is an industry best 19/5 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

Expect Moussa Sissoko to continue to cause problems for opposition teams when he gets forward. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index he’s completed more dribbles than any other Newcastle player with 28.

Manchester United v Liverpool – Sunday 13:30

Manchester United come into this typically feisty affair as the league’s form side, having become the only team other than Newcastle to win five games on the bounce. They are now looking to become the first team to win six in a row to help close the gap on their Manchester rivals, City, and Chelsea atop the league.

Manchester United have a massive thank you to make to their keeper David De Gea who has helped ensure their winning streak continues. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the Spain international has made 2.29 saves for every goal conceded. He will look to further improve that ratio this weekend by keeping his fifth clean sheet of the season.

Robin Van Persie received the plaudits on Monday night, having bagged two goals against Southampton, taking his tally to six for the season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he only needed three shots on Monday night to score his brace, but it was his all round play that impressed. Monday saw Van Persie win all four of his tackles and complete 87.9% of his 33 passes. He is 27/25 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

His strike partner Wayne Rooney will need no second reminder to get himself ready for this derby, especially as a boyhood Evertonian. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Manchester Untied skipper has created three goals for teammates whilst adding five of his own. Rooney will hope for a repeat of his finishing master class at Arsenal and is 27/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Liverpool will come into this fixture with optimism having remained unbeaten in three, having picked up seven points from a possible nine. Liverpool have only conceded once in their last three fixtures, and keeping their defence tight will be the key to coming away with the points for them.

This fixture will mean more to Steven Gerrard than most, and the Liverpool skipper epitomises the rivalry of the match. The former England captain has scored three penalties in his last four visits to Old Trafford and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that he has scored three times this season so is in goal scoring form. Gerrard has completed 321 passes in the opposition already this campaign and willing be looking to add to both his tally of goals and assists. He is 51/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

His midfield partner Jordan Henderson has made a fine start to the season, as revealed by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The England international has covered a squad best 148.53km already this season, and will look to retain that work rate on the weekend to win the midfield battle. He has also won 75.47% of his 53 tackles this season, also making 16 interceptions showing that his hard work is paying off.

Another threat to the Manchester United back line will come in the form of Henderson’s England international Raheem Sterling. The 20 year old has scored three times already and laid on five goals for teammates, as revealed by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. His natural talent in combination with his frightening pace makes him such a threat, and he has hit a top speed of 35.04km/h so far this season.

Swansea v Tottenham – Sunday 16:00

Swansea will come into this game with optimism in spite of mixed form in their most recent Premier League outings. The Swans will look to bounce back from their defeat to West Ham by replicating the form that saw them beat QPR 2-0 in their last home outing; a result that could put them up to six.

Swansea will be looking to sure things up at the back, after conceding three times last weekend to the aforementioned in-form East Londoners. To ensure this, Ashley Williams will be the man that the Swans look to for inspiration, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us why. The Wales international captain has won 73.9% of his 23 tackles so far this season, only needing to make few tackles due to his excellent reading of the game that has seen him make 35 interceptions. His solidity is unquestionable when you realise that he has amassed an astonishing 157 clearances already this season.

At the other end of the pitch, Wilfried Bony is the man who the Swans will look to to put the ball in the net. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us just how good a start to the season the Ivory Coast international has had, with seven goals and two assists to his name. The striker has hit the target a squad best 19 times and it is his power and pace that get him into this situation, hitting a top speed of 33.48km/h so far this season. He is 6/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

The man who is most likely to supply him and pull the strings for Swansea is their hard-working midfielder, Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Iceland international, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, has covered 167.79km already this season, scoring twice and racking up eight assists. Having completed 300 passes in the opposition, he is the man that Tottenham will need to be wary of when he ventures into their half.

Tottenham sit in the middle of the table, sitting two places and one point behind their hosts for the weekend, Swansea. Tottenham are without a win in two games and will be looking to rewind to their form prior to those fixtures that saw them beat Hull and Everton. A lack of goals of late has been Spurs’ main problem, and addressing that issue will be Tottenham’s best way of rectifying their league position this weekend.

Tottenham’s go-to man in the middle of the park is Christian Eriksen, who has made a fine start to the season as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Denmark international has scored five times and got himself a further assist, amassing a grand total of 439 passes completed in the opposition area, proving he can be a threat both scoring and creating. He is 7/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

The Tottenham midfield also features the talents of both Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela, both of whom have started the season in fine form, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Chadli’s contribution has been fairly easy to see, with one assist and six goals to his name and completing 234 passes in the opposition half.

On the other side of the equation, Lamela has demonstrated his hard work by covering 136.49km already this season, winning 28 tackles and making 13 interceptions, putting a shift in for his side. It will be these two players in combination with such different styles that will create havoc for the Swans’ defence.

Everton v QPR – Monday 20:00

Everton come into this fixture struggling to find their best form at the moment, but they will hope to turn that around this weekend. Everton have only won one from their last six fixtures and a lack of goals has been their biggest issue of late. They will be looking to put that right in front of the Everton faithful this weekend by delivering all three points.

The Toffees will be looking to their go-to man to deliver the points for them this weekend; record signing Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian international has scored six times already this season, hitting the target 20 times. He has the all round ability to out-muscle and out-pace defenders, and has hit a top speed of 33.5km/h so far this season, which will prove a threat to the Rangers back line. He is 57/50 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Going forward, it is actually Everton’s two full backs who are among their most creative players, in the shape of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, as illustrated by data from the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The England international left back has created six goals this season and scored twice, having put a squad best 44 crosses into the box. It is unsurprising that he has already racked up 141.48km so far this season in distance covered, perennially doing length after length of the pitch, down the left hand side.

On the right, Coleman has hit a top speed of 33.4km/h which has proved to be a real threat to opposition that he has faced. The Irish international combines pace and real quality however, scoring and creating two goals apiece so far this season. He has also won 84% of his tackles and made 10 interceptions, which will help get Everton onto the front foot in no time at all.

QPR come into this game in good form having picked up two victories in their last three outings, and will be looking to make that nine from a possible twelve points come the weekend. The West Londoners have proved themselves capable of scoring, and will be looking to tighten things up at the back as they have conceded more goals than any other side in the league so far.

One man who had a terrific game for the Hoops last weekend was the controversial figure, Joey Barton. The English midfielder proved to be the heartbeat of the team, completing 95.2% of his 42 passes and will hope that he can control the play again on Monday night. Barton has covered 89km so far this season, and will hope that he can put a shift in to help see him to the 100km mark and deliver three points for his side.

Alongside him in midfield, Leroy Fer continues to have an immense season for the R’s. The Dutch international scored last week to double his tally and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index also reveals that he has also created two goals as well. He has won 75% of his 36 tackles so far this term and also amassed a further 15 interceptions. His partnership with Barton will be crucial to winning the midfield battle and, ultimately, the match.

Up top, Charlie Austin is QPR’s man on fire at the moment, who is unfortunately suspended for the Monday night clash. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the English striker has scored his eight goals at an average of every 149.25 minutes. In his absence, the R’s will look to Bobby Zamora to lead the line in what will be a different style of playing off the striker. Zamora has already created two goals this season, but will now want to get himself on the score sheet. He is 51/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.